RICHFOOD TAPS PRESIDENT FOR WHOLESALE

RICHMOND, Va. -- Richfood Holdings here has named Alec C. Covington president of wholesale operations, with responsibility for overseeing the company's wholesale divisions, including the sales, marketing, distribution and logistics management functions.

sion. In 1996, he was named president and chief operating officer for Richfood Inc.

Most recently, he was corporate executive vice president and chief operating officer of wholesale operations -- a new position created as part of a move by Richfood to define the lines of responsibility more clearly among its wholesale, retail and support activities.

Stokely said the appointment will allow Richfood to focus on "the core competencies that have made us successful and will better position us organizationally to capitalize on future growth opportunities."

Richfood Holdings is the largest wholesale food distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region and also operates a chain of 17 retail stores in the metropolitan Baltimore area. As reported, the company is also in the process of acquiring the Norfolk, Va.-based Farm Fresh chain.